Lauri Markkanen was a late scratch Tuesday, unexpectedly missing the Los Angeles Clippers game due to back spasms.

Consequently, the Bulls trotted out their 16th different starting lineup this season, this one offering an intriguing look at the team’s most perplexing player and bringing much-needed substance to the team’s stated desire of dedicating this stretch run to player evaluation and player development.

Noah Vonleh started at power forward in Markkanen’s absence, joining Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, David Nwaba and Robin Lopez in the first string and logging a Bulls season-high 27 minutes in Chicago’s 112-106 loss inside the United Center. Vonleh was so-so in his first start for the Bulls, scoring eight points on 3-for-11 shooting with seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and one turnover. His porous field-goal percentage largely was a result of going 0-for-5 from 3-point range. But after draining 5-of-11 from that distance in his previous three outings,...